Bicycle hub assembly

ABSTRACT

A bicycle hub cover assembly is installed on a bicycle hub to provide a hard, rigid protective cover for the bicycle hub. In one embodiment, the bicycle hub cover assembly has a hub shell cover, a first hub end cover, a second hub end cover and a pair of fasteners that attach the hub end covers to the axle of the bicycle hub. The hub shell cover is configured and arranged to be mounted concentrically around a center portion of the hub shell of the bicycle hub, while the hub end covers overlie the axial ends of the bicycle hub. Thus, the bicycle hub is completely enclosed, except for a small gap located between the hub shell cover and each of the first and second hub end covers. In another embodiment, the hub shell cover is eliminated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/884,164 filed on Jul. 6, 2004. The entire disclosure of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/884,164 is hereby incorporated herein byreference. Also, this application is related to hub covers for a bicyclehub such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,489, which isassigned to Shimano Inc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a cover for a bicycle hub. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle hub assembly inwhich at least one end of the hub axle is covered by a cover member.

2. Background Information

Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation aswell as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a verypopular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whetherthe bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, thebicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of thebicycle to make the bicycle more reliable and durable. Moreover, variouscomponents of the bicycle are constantly being modified and/or improveddepending upon their use to be more aesthetically pleasing to the rider.In other words, it is often desirable to produce bicycles that areattractive to the rider. In addition, many riders desire a bicycle thatlooks different than other bicycles. Many bicycle frames are designed tohave a distinctive and attractive appearance.

Recently, various covers have been proposed for covering portions of thefront fork and/or the front hub. For example, a cover assembly has beenproposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,489 (Shimano Inc.) that provides anaesthetically pleasing look and a protection to the front hub.Basically, this Shimano patent discloses a pair of hub covers that areused with fork tube covers to provide an attractive appearance. However,the hub covers are not integrated with the hub design, and do notprotect the center portion of the hub shell. Thus, the cover assemblydoes not provide a hub assembly with a look in which the hub cover andthe hub shell are integrated together with a unified identity.

Another example of a hub that includes a cover member to protect the hubis disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,036 (Campagnolo). In this Campagnolopatent, a covering ring is provided at the end of the hub which isintegrated with the hub shell such that the covering ring and the hubshell has a sense of identify with each other. However, one majordrawback to this design is that the ends of the hub axle are notcovered. Thus, the ends of the hub axle are not protected and the end ofthe ends of the hub axle may detract from the appearance of the overalllook of the hub.

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved a bicyclehub cover assembly. This invention addresses this need in the art aswell as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in theart from this disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle hub coverassembly that protected an end of a bicycle hub.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle hub coverassembly for a bicycle hub that has a sense of identify with a hub shellof the hub.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hub coverassembly that is attached to hub axis to rotate therewith.

The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicyclehub assembly that comprises a first hub end cover, a bicycle hub and afirst fastener. The first hub end cover has a first mounting hole. Thebicycle hub has a hub axle and a hub shell mounted on the hub axle suchthat the hub shell rotates about the hub axle. The first fastenerextends through the first mounting hole of the first hub end cover andattached to a first end of the hub axle.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle that is equipped with frontand rear bicycle hub assemblies in accordance with a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the front hub assembly inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, with thefront fork or frame portion shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 3 is an axial end elevational view of the front hub assemblyattached to the front hub in accordance with the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the front bicycle hub assembly inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front bicycle hubassembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the bicycle hub in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the center section of the hubshell cover of the front bicycle hub assembly in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an axial end elevational view of the center member of the hubshell cover illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the center member ofthe hub shell cover illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 as seen along sectionline 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an axial end elevational view of the center member of the hubshell cover illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 with the center member of the hubshell cover in its open position;

FIG. 11 is an inside elevational view of the center member of the hubshell cover illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 with the center member of the hubshell cover in its open position;

FIG. 12 is an outside elevational view of one of the side members of thehub shell cover in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a edge elevational view of the side member of the hub shellcover illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the side member of thehub shell cover illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14 as seen along sectionline 14-14 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an inside axial end elevational view of the side member ofthe hub shell cover shown in FIGS. 12-14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged partial, cross-sectional view of thecross-sectional profile of the side member of the hub shell coverillustrated in FIGS. 12-15;

FIG. 17 is an outside end elevational view of one of the hub end coversin accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the hub end cover illustrated inFIG. 17 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the hub end cover illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18 as seen along section line 19-19 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a front end elevational view of a front hub assembly inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a side end elevational view of the bicycle hub assemblyillustrated in FIG. 20 in accordance with the second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 22 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hub assemblyillustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 in accordance with the second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a front elevational view of a rear bicycle hub in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 24 is an end elevational view of a first side of the rear hubassembly illustrated in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is an end elevational view of the second side of the rear hubassembly illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24; and

FIG. 28 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rear hubillustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27 as seen along section line 28-28 of FIG.26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained withreference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart from this disclosure that the following descriptions of theembodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration onlyand not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a bicycle 10 is illustrated that isequipped with a first embodiment of the present invention. Since thesemost of the parts of the bicycle 10 are well known in the art, only theparts of the bicycle 10 that relate to the present invention will bediscussed or illustrated in detail. As used herein to describe thepresent invention, the following directional terms “forward, rearward,above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well asany other similar directional terms refer to those directions of abicycle equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms,as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpretedrelative to a bicycle equipped with the present invention.

The bicycle 10 basically has a frame 14 with a front fork or front frameportion 16 movably coupled thereto, a front wheel 18 and a rear wheel20. The front and rear wheels 18 and 20 are rotatably mounted relativeto the frame 14.

The front wheel 18 basically includes a front bicycle hub assembly 22, aplurality of spokes 24, a front rim 26 and a front tire 28. The innerends of the spokes 24 are connected to the front bicycle hub assembly22, while the outer ends of the spokes 24 are connected to the front rim26 via spoke nipples (not shown). The structure of the front wheel 18 isbasically conventional, except for the front bicycle hub assembly 22 asexplained below.

The rear wheel 20 basically includes a rear bicycle hub assembly 32, aplurality of spokes 34, a rear rim 36 and a rear tire 38. The inner endsof the spokes 34 are connected to the rear bicycle hub assembly 32,while the outer ends of the spokes 34 are connected to the rear rim 36via spoke nipples (not shown). The structure of the rear wheel 20 isbasically conventional, except for the rear bicycle hub assembly 32 asexplained below.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the front bicycle hub assembly 22 basicallyincludes a bicycle hub 40 and a bicycle hub cover assembly 41. Thebicycle hub 40 in this embodiment is a conventional dynamo hub that hasbeen slightly modified such that the bicycle hub cover assembly 41 canbe mounted thereto. Thus, the follow description will mainly focus onthe modifications of the bicycle hub 40 and the structure of the bicyclehub cover assembly 41.

The bicycle hub 40 basically includes a hub axle 42 and a hub shell 43that is rotatably mounted on the hub axle 42 by a pair of bearing units44 and 45 in a conventional manner. Each end of the hub axle 42 has anaxially extending threaded hole 42 a for attaching a part of the bicyclehub cover assembly 41 as explained below.

Preferably, the bicycle hub 40 also includes an internal electricgenerating mechanism or dynamo 46 disposed between the hub axle 42 andthe hub shell 43. The dynamo 46 basically includes a plurality ofpermanent magnets 47 fixedly mounted to the hub shell 43 and a stator 48fixedly mounted to the hub axle 42.

The bicycle hub cover assembly 41 basically includes a hub shell cover50, a first hub end cover 51, a second hub end cover 52 and a pair offasteners 53. The bicycle hub cover assembly 41 is illustrated as havinga certain overall ornamental appearance, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes andmodifications can be to the ornamental appearance without departing fromthe scope of the invention. Preferably, the bicycle hub cover assembly41 can be installed without physically altering the bicycle frame 14.The hub shell cover 50 is configured and arranged to be mountedconcentrically around the center portion of the hub shell 43, while thefirst and second hub end covers 51 and 52 overlie the axial ends of thehub axle 42 and the axial ends of the hub shell 43. Thus, the bicyclehub 40 is completely enclosed, except for a small gap located betweenthe hub shell cover 50 and each of the first and second hub end covers51 and 52.

As seen in FIGS. 2-5, the hub shell cover 50 basically includes a centermember 54, a first side member 55 and a second side member 56.Preferably, the center member 54 of the hub shell cover 50 isconstructed as a one-piece, unitary member from a lightweight, impactresistant material such as an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)resin. Likewise, the side members 55 and 56 of the hub shell cover 50are each constructed as a one-piece, unitary member from a lightweight,impact resistant material such as an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS) resin. Thus, the hub shell cover 50 provides a hard, rigidprotective cover for the bicycle hub 40.

As seen in FIGS. 7-11, the center member 54 of the hub shell cover 50 isa tubular member that is configured and arranged to be longitudinallyopened. While the center member 54 of the hub shell cover 50 ispreferably constructed as a one-piece, unitary member, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the hubshell cover 50 can be constructed of two or more pieces, if needed an/ordesired. The center member 54 of the hub shell cover 50 has a firstcover portion 57 and a second cover portion 58 with the first and secondcover portions 57 and 58 being connected by a living hinge 59 to form aclam shell configuration. Essentially, the first and second coverportions 57 and 58 are identical in overall configuration and form anouter peripheral surface with an hour glass shape when in the installedposition.

The center member 54 of the hub shell cover 50 has a first free end edge61 and a second free end edge 62. The first and second free end edges 61and 62 are preferably step-shaped to join with the first and second sidemembers 55 and 56, respectively, in an overlapping manner. The first andsecond free end edges 61 and 62 are preferably provided with a pluralityof cutouts 61 a and 62 a, respectively, which form a plurality of firstand second spoke openings for allowing the spokes 24 to extend from thehub shell 43 outwardly past the hub shell cover 50. Preferably, theinner surface of the center member 54 of the hub shell cover 50 isprovided with a plurality of first mounting flanges 63 and a pluralityof second mounting flanges 64. Preferably, the first mounting flanges 63are located adjacent the first free end edge 61 and arecircumferentially spaced equally apart about the inner periphery of thecenter member 54 of the hub shell cover 50. Likewise, the secondmounting flanges 64 are located adjacent the second free end edge 62 ofthe center member 54 of the hub shell cover 50 and are circumferentiallyspaced equally apart. Preferably, the first and second mounting flanges63 and 64 are equally spaced apart by approximately 120 degrees. Inother words, there are preferably three first mounting flanges 63 andthree second mounting flanges 64. Moreover, preferably the firstmounting flanges 63 are out of phase with the second mounting flanges64.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-16, the first and second side members 55 and56 of the hub shell cover 50 are each ring-shaped members that mate withthe first and second free end edges 61 and 62 of the center member 54 ofthe hub shell cover 50. Preferably, the outer peripheral surfaces of thefirst and second side members 55 and 56 are contiguous with the outerperipheral surface of the center member 54 such that the outerperipheral surfaces form a smooth transition therebetween without anyabrupt changes. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart from this disclosure that the outer peripheral surfaces of the firstand second side members 55 and 56 do not necessarily precisely match theouter peripheral surface of the center member 54. Therefore, the phrase“a smooth contiguous transition” as used herein refers to a transitionthat appears to be substantially contiguous without an abrupt change asviewed by the naked eye from three to five feet from the bicycle hubcover assembly 41. In other words, there should not be an abrupt changethat is more than the thickness of the material of the center member 54.

The first and second side members 55 and 56 have a substantiallyC-shaped cross-sectional profile as seen in FIG. 16. This C-shapedcross-sectional profile allows the first and second side members 55 and56 to overlap the step shape of the first and second free end edges 61and 62 of the center member 54. The outer peripheral surface of thefirst and second side members 55 and 56 preferably include a partiallyspherical portion 67 that has a curvature that matches the first andsecond hub end covers 51 and 52. Thus, when the first and second hub endcovers 51 and 52 are installed on the hub axle 42 via the fasteners 53the outer peripheral surfaces of the hub end covers 51 and 52substantially match the spherical surface 67 of the first and secondside members 55 and 56 of the hub shell cover 50. Thus, an integratedlook is provided between the hub shell cover 50 and the first and secondhub end covers 51 and 52.

Preferably, the first and second side members 55 and 56 are providedwith three mounting flanges 68 that are circumferentially spaced apartto match the mounting flanges 63 and 64 of the center member 54. Inother words, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and second sidemembers 55 and 56 are provided with three mounting flanges 68 that arespaced 120 degrees apart about the inner peripheral edge of the firstand second side members 55 and 56. The mounting flanges 68 are providedwith mounting holes 68a that receive a fastener 69 for coupling thefirst and second side members 55 and 56 to the center member 54. Moreparticularly, the fasteners 69 are preferably a self-tapping screw thatis threaded into the holes 68 a of the first and second side members 55and 56 and then pass through a hole in the hub shell 43 and threadedinto the holes 63 a and 64 a of the first and second mounting flanges 63and 64 of the center member 54. In the illustrated embodiment, thecenter member 54 is first installed around the hub shell 43 such thatthe cutouts 61 a and 62 a receive the spokes 24. Accordingly, the centermember 54 of the hub shell cover 50 is maintained in its closed positionby the spokes 24 engaging the cutouts 61 a and 62 a. Next, the first andsecond side members 55 and 56 are installed on the free end edges 61 and62 of the center member 54. Now, the fasteners 69 are installed toconnect the mounting flanges 68 to the first and second mounting flanges63 and 64 of the center member 54. Thus, the center member 54 and thefirst and second side members 55 and 56 are secured together about thehub shell 43.

As seen in FIGS. 17-19, the first and second hub end covers 51 and 52are each bowl shaped members. Since the first and second hub end covers51 and 52 are each identical, the same reference numbers will be usedfor describing the first and second hub end covers 51 and 52. The firstand second hub end covers 51 and 52 are each constructed as a one-piece,unitary member from a lightweight, impact resistant material such as anacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin. Thus, the bicycle hub coverassembly 41 provides a hard, rigid protective cover for the bicycle hub40.

The first and second hub end covers 51 and 52 have a centrally locatedmounting hole 71 that receives the fastener 53 for attaching the firstand second hub end covers 51 and 52 to the hub axle 42. In particular,the fasteners 53 are preferably screws that are inserted through themounting holes 71 of the first and second hub end covers 51 and 52, andthen are threaded into the threaded holes 42a formed at the free ends ofthe hub axle 42.

Each of the first and second hub end covers 51 and 52 are alsopreferably provided with an axially extending abutment wall 72 that iscircumferentially arranged about the mounting hole 71. Thus, theabutment wall 72 is disposed radially outwardly of the mounting hole 71.The abutment wall 72 is sized for accommodating the end of the hub axle42. Also, the abutment wall 72 is configured to engage the end of thefront fork 16 to provide the desired gap or spacing between the hub endcovers 51 and 52 and the side members 55 and 56. The first and secondhub end covers 51 and 52 have a peripheral edge 73 that is substantiallycircular, except for a frame receiving opening or notch 74 formedtherein. In other words, the peripheral edges 73 of the first and secondhub end covers 51 and 52 match the free end edges of the first andsecond side members 55 and 56 when the bicycle hub cover assembly 41 isinstalled on the bicycle hub 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-22, a modified front bicycle hub assembly 122is illustrated in accordance with the present invention. In view of thesimilarity between the front bicycle hub assembly 22 and the frontbicycle hub assembly 122, the parts of the front bicycle hub assembly122 that are identical or substantially identical to the parts of thefront bicycle hub assembly 22 will be only briefly described for thesake of brevity.

As seen in FIGS. 20 and 22, the front bicycle hub assembly 122 basicallyincludes a bicycle hub 140 and a bicycle hub cover assembly 141. In thisembodiment, the hub shell cover has been eliminated from the bicycle hubcover assembly 141. More specifically, as seen in FIG. 22, the bicyclehub 140 basically includes a hub axle 142 and a hub shell 143 that isrotatably mounted on the hub axle 142 by a pair of bearing units 144 and145 in a conventional manner. The hub shell 143 has an outer peripheralsurface that matches the outer peripheral surface of the hub shell cover50 of the prior embodiment. Thus, this embodiment does not utilize a hubshell cover 50. In other words, the bicycle hub cover assembly 41 merelyincludes first and second hub end cover 151 and 152 that are attached tothe hub axle 142 via a pair of fasteners 153. In particular, each end ofthe hub axle 142 has an externally threaded end portion 142 a thatthreadedly engages internal threads of one of the fasteners 153.

Preferably, similar to the first embodiment, the bicycle hub 140 alsoincludes an internal electric generating mechanism or dynamo 146disposed between the hub axle 142 and the hub shell 143. The hub dynamo146 basically includes a plurality of permanent magnet 147 fixedlymounted to the hub shell 143 and a stator 148 fixedly mounted to the hubaxle 142.

The first and second hub end covers 151 and 152 are each bowl shapedmembers. Since the first and second hub end covers 151 and 152 are eachidentical, the same reference numbers will be used for describing thefirst and second hub end covers 151 and 152. The first and second hubend covers 151 and 152 are each constructed as a one-piece, unitarymember from a lightweight, impact resistant material such as anacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin. Thus, the bicycle hub coverassembly 141 provides a hard, rigid protective cover for ends of thebicycle hub 140.

The first and second hub end covers 151 and 152 have a centrally locatedmounting hole 171 that receives the fastener 153 for attaching first andsecond hub end covers 151 and 152 to the hub axle 142. In particular,the fasteners 153 are preferably screws with an internally threaded bore153 a. The fasteners 153 are inserted through the mounting holes 171 ofthe first and second hub end covers 151 and 152, and then are threadedonto the threaded end portions 142 a of the hub axle 142.

Each of the first and second hub end covers 151 and 152 are alsopreferably provided with an axially extending abutment wall 172 that atleast partially defines the mounting hole 171. The abutment wall 172 isconfigured to engage the end of the front fork 16 to provide the desiredgap or spacing between the hub end covers 151 and 152 and the hub shell143. The first and second hub end covers 151 and 152 have a peripheraledge 173 that is substantially circular, except for a frame receivingopening or notch 174 formed therein. In other words, the peripheraledges 173 of the first and second hub end covers 151 and 152 match thefree end edges of the hub shell 143 when the bicycle hub cover assembly141 is installed on the bicycle hub 140. The overall shapes of the firstand second hub end covers 151 and 152 are the same as the first andsecond hub end covers 51 and 52 shown in FIGS. 17-19.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-28, the rear bicycle hub assembly 32 inaccordance with the present invention will now be explained. In view ofthe similarity between the front bicycle hub assembly 22 and the rearbicycle hub assembly 32, the parts of the rear bicycle hub assembly 32that are identical or substantially identical to the parts of the frontbicycle hub assembly 22 will be only briefly described for the sake ofbrevity.

Basically, the rear hub assembly 32 includes a rear bicycle hub 90 and arear bicycle hub cover assembly 91. The rear bicycle hub 90 in thisembodiment is a relatively conventional internally geared hub that hasbeen slightly modified such that the bicycle hub cover assembly 91 canbe mounted thereto. Thus, the following description will mainly focus onthe modifications of the bicycle hub 90 and the structure of the bicyclehub cover assembly 91.

The bicycle hub 90 basically includes a hub axle 92 and a hub shell 93that is rotatably mounted on the hub axle 92 by a pair of bearing units(not shown) in a conventional manner. Each end of the hub axle 92 has anaxially extending threaded hole 92 a for attaching a bicycle part of thebicycle hub cover assembly 91 thereto.

The bicycle hub cover assembly 91 basically includes a first hub endcover 95 and a second hub end cover 96 with the first and second endcovers 95 and 96 being fastened to the hub axle 92 via a pair offasteners or screws 97. Basically, the first hub end cover 95 issubstantially identical to the second hub end cover 96 discussed aboveexcept for the outer peripheral shape has been slightly modified.

The first hub end cover 95 has a similar configuration to the hub endcovers 51 and 52, while second hub end cover 96 has been made to beintegrally formed with a chain guard G. Accordingly, the second hub endcover 96 is constructed in a similar manner to the hub end covers 51 and52 as discussed above, except for the integral chain guard G. Regardingthe hub shell 93, the hub shell end edges are provided with spokeopenings or cutouts 93 a that accommodate tangentially arranged spokes34 as seen in FIG. 1. Similar to the front bicycle hub assembly 122, thehub shell 93 has an outer peripheral surface that substantially matchesthe outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second hub end covers 95and 96 to provide an integrated look.

The first and second hub end covers 95 and 96 each have a centrallylocated mounting hole that receives the fasteners 97 for attaching thefirst and second hub end covers 95 and 96 to the hub axle 92. Inparticular, the fasteners 97 are preferably screws that are insertedthrough the mounting holes 98 of the first and second hub end covers 95and 96, and then are threaded into the threaded holes 92 a formed at thefree ends of the hub axle 92.

Each of the first and second hub end covers 95 and 96 are alsopreferably provided with an axially extending abutment wall 99 that iscircumferentially arranged about the mounting hole 98. Thus, theabutment wall 99 is disposed radially outwardly of the mounting hole 98.The abutment wall 99 is sized for accommodating the end of the hub axle42. Also, the abutment wall 99 is configured to engage the end of theframe 14 to provide the desired gap or spacing between the hub endcovers 95 and 96 and the hub shell 93. The first and second hub endcovers 95 and 96 have a peripheral edge 100 that is substantiallycircular, except for a frame receiving opening or notch 101 formed onthe first hub end cover 95. In other words, the peripheral edges 100 ofthe first and second hub end covers 95 and 96 match the free end edgesof the hub shell 93 when the bicycle hub cover assembly 91 is installedon the bicycle hub 90.

The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately”as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modifiedterm such that the end result is not significantly changed. These termsshould be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of themodified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the wordit modifies.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of theembodiments according to the present invention are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A bicycle hub assembly comprising: a hub axle; a hub shell mounted onthe hub axle such that the hub shell rotates about the hub axle, the hubshell including first and second axially spaced spoke mounting portionsthat are arranged and configured to have a plurality of spokes attachedthereto; a first hub end cover having a first mounting hole; and a firstfastener extending through the first mounting hole of the first hub endcover and attached to a first end of the hub axle, the first hub endcover having a first peripheral edge and the hub shell having a firstend portion with a first free end edge that generally matches the firstperipheral edge of the first hub end cover.
 2. The bicycle hub assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the first hub end cover has a framereceiving opening.
 3. The bicycle hub assembly according to claim 2,wherein the first hub end cover is bowl shaped with the first peripheraledge defining the frame receiving opening.
 4. The bicycle hub assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the first hub end cover is constructed ofan acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin.
 5. The bicycle hubassembly according to claim 1, wherein the first hub end cover includesan axially extending abutment wall disposed radially outwardly from thefirst mounting hole.
 6. The bicycle hub assembly according to claim 5,wherein the abutment wall is annularly arranged about the first mountinghole.
 7. The bicycle hub assembly according to claim 1, furthercomprising a second hub end cover having a second mounting hole; and asecond fastener extending through the second mounting hole of the secondhub end cover and attached to a second end of the hub axle, the secondhub end cover having a second peripheral edge and the hub shell having asecond end portion with a second free end edge that generally matchesthe second peripheral edge of the second hub end cover.
 8. The bicyclehub assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hub shell includes anouter surface extending along an axial length of the hub shell, theouter surface of the hub shell forming an outermost surface of the hubassembly along the axial length of the hub shell.
 9. The bicycle hubassembly according to claim 8, wherein the outer surface of the hubshell includes first and second tapered sections that taper radiallyoutwardly as the first and second tapered sections extend in axiallyopposite directions.
 10. The bicycle hub assembly according to claim 8,further comprising a dynamo having a magnet and a stator that iselectric generating when the stator and magnet rotate relative to eachother.
 11. The bicycle hub assembly according to claim 10, wherein oneof the stator and the magnet is fixedly attached to the hub shell andthe other of the stator and magnet is fixedly attached to the hub axle.12. The bicycle hub assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hub shellincludes first and second external tapered surface sections that taperradially outwardly as the first and second external tapered surfacesections extend in axially opposite directions.
 13. The bicycle hubassembly according to claim 1, further comprising a dynamo having amagnet and a stator that is electric generating when the stator andmagnet rotate relative to each other.
 14. The bicycle hub assemblyaccording to claim 13, wherein one of the stator and the magnet isfixedly attached to the hub shell and the other of the stator and magnetis fixedly attached to the hub axle.